Orbán accused the opposition Tisza party of threatening stability and suggested a change of government could pull Hungary closer to Brussels and deeper into external conflicts. The election has increasingly been framed by Orbán as a choice between “peace and war,” with his campaign focusing heavily on immigration, the war in Ukraine and Hungary’s fraught relationship with the European Union .

The vote on April 12 is shaping up to be Orbán’s toughest contest in years. Opposition leader Péter Magyar and his Tisza party have gained momentum by casting the election as a referendum on Hungary’s place in Europe and on Orbán’s 16 years in power, during which critics say democratic standards have eroded and ties with Brussels have deteriorated.

Recent polling has painted a mixed picture, though several independent surveys have shown Tisza ahead among likely voters, while Orbán has retained strong backing in rural areas and among older Hungarians.

Using the North American findings as a benchmark, the team reported differences by city. London’s gas contained about 64 times more benzene, Amsterdam about 73 times more, and Milan about 8.5 times more, compared with the earlier North American data.

The study also raised concerns about leaks inside kitchens. When researchers checked appliances while stoves were switched off, they found leaks in roughly 40% of kitchens. They estimated that about 9% of homes had leaks large enough to exceed recommended exposure limits under UK and EU guidelines.

A key problem, researchers said, is that many people may not get a clear warning. Gas utilities add sulphur-based odorants so leaks can be detected by smell, but the study found odour levels were often too low to alert households before benzene concentrations could rise to hazardous levels.

Ventilation helped reduce indoor pollution , opening windows or using extractor hoods lowered concentrations during cooking, but researchers said constant leaks would require hours of ventilation a day, making the issue hard to manage at the household level.

“This is really a systemic problem,” lead author Dr Tamara Sparks said, arguing that stronger measures, such as improving leak detection and increasing odorisation levels, could help people identify smaller leaks sooner and reduce long-term exposure risks.

Belgium has long faced scrutiny over the killing. A 2002 parliamentary investigation concluded the Belgian state was “morally responsible” for Lumumba’s death.

Prosecutors say Davignon, who was a junior diplomat at the time and later became a European commissioner, is accused of war crimes linked to Lumumba’s unlawful detention or transfer, the denial of his right to an impartial trial, and what they described as “humiliating and degrading treatment.” He is also accused in connection with the deaths of Lumumba’s political allies Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.

Davignon is the only living suspect among those accused of involvement in the killing. The case was brought by Lumumba’s family and later taken up by Belgian federal prosecutors.

After the ruling, Lumumba’s granddaughter Yema Lumumba said it was “a step in the right direction,” adding: “What we want is to search for truth and establish different responsibilities.” The family’s lawyer, Christophe Marchand, called it “a gigantic victory,” saying it is difficult for a country to judge its own colonial crimes.

Lumumba, who was 35 when he was executed, remains a symbol of African independence movements. The only known remains of the slain leader, a single gold-capped tooth, were recovered years later after being held by the family of a deceased Belgian officer linked to the disappearance of his body.

Hungary has vetoed the package amid a dispute over the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude to parts of Central Europe. Budapest says Ukraine deliberately cut supplies, while Kyiv says oil flows stopped after a Russian attack damaged pipeline infrastructure in late January, and repairs are underway. Zelensky said the Soviet-era pipeline could be operational again “within a month and a half.”

Orban, who faces Hungary’s parliamentary election on April 12, has accused Ukraine of trying to influence the campaign and has urged the European Commission to pressure Kyiv to restart deliveries.

In a letter shared publicly this week, Orban claimed there was “no technical or operational reason” the pipeline could not return to normal immediately.

The standoff comes as Ukraine continues to fight Russia n assaults along the front line. An analysis by Finland-based open-source group Black Bird Group found Russia lost more territory than it gained in February for the first time since 2023.

“We have drastically reduced our presence in Europe and the UK,” Lavrov told lawmakers. “And 90% of these redundant employees have been redeployed to African destinations.”

Since Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, hundreds of Russian diplomats have been expelled from Western countries amid accusations of espionage and sabotage. According to Russia’s state-run Tass news agency, at least 574 diplomats were declared persona non grata in the first year of the war alone.

As relations with Europe deteriorate and Russia faces economic strain from the war, Africa has emerged as a key arena for Moscow’s diplomatic outreach. Unlike China or the United States , Russia is not offering large-scale infrastructure investments. Instead, it is relying on lower-cost tools of influence.

The Russian Orthodox Church has expanded its presence to at least 34 African countries in recent years. At the same time, Russia has tripled the number of scholarships available to African students to study in Russian universities.

Bloomberg also reported that the Kremlin has created a new international relations department focused on countries selected by President Vladimir Putin, with a special team dedicated to Africa policy .

The strategy allows Moscow to increase its global footprint while avoiding major financial commitments.

“I have seen that Europe continues to buy Russian gas, but Europe does not want our countries to talk about Russia,” he said. “I think we need to be a bit more honest and sincerely recognise each other’s potential. Our struggle is to determine for ourselves with whom we want to cooperate,” he added.

Traore said Burkina Faso wants the freedom to “analyse, choose, formulate, create and evaluate” its partnerships independently.

Traore also confirmed that Burkina Faso is deepening cooperation with Russia in civil nuclear energy.

“This is no longer just a plan,” he said. “We are already collaborating with Russia in the field of nuclear energy. The Minister of Energy has signed the memorandum.” He added that the country is now working to establish the legal and institutional framework required for the project.

Burkina Faso, led by a military government since a 2022 coup, has strengthened ties with Russia while distancing itself from France, its former colonial power.

Despite sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several European Union countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), France was the EU’s largest importer of Russian fossil fuels in February 2025, purchasing €399 million worth. Some liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered to France’s Dunkerque terminal was later sent to Germany.

Hungary ranked second with €307 million in imports, including crude oil and pipeline gas. Belgium was third, importing €266 million worth of Russian LNG, some of which may have been re-exported to other EU states.

Overall, the EU accounted for 14 percent of global Russian fossil fuel purchases in February, spending around €1.7 billion, nearly half of which was on LNG.

According to the Commission, features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised content recommendations make it harder for users to stop scrolling and may harm their physical and mental wellbeing.

EU officials said TikTok did not do enough to assess or reduce the impact of these features, particularly on minors and vulnerable users. Regulators raised concerns about excessive screen time, including children using the app late at night.

“TikTok has to take action,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters. “They have to change the design of their service in Europe to protect minors and their wellbeing.”

The Commission said TikTok’s existing screen-time controls and parental tools were ineffective. It noted that time limits were easy to dismiss and that parental controls required extra effort and technical knowledge from parents to set up.

The investigation into TikTok began in February 2024 and was the first case opened under the DSA, the EU’s sweeping law aimed at tightening oversight of major digital platforms. The law allows regulators to fine companies up to six per cent of their global annual turnover if breaches are confirmed.

To avoid penalties, the Commission said TikTok could be required to redesign parts of its app, including limiting infinite scrolling, introducing stronger screen-time breaks, especially at night and adjusting how its recommendation algorithms work.

TikTok will now be allowed to review the EU’s findings and respond to the allegations. EU officials said the company has so far cooperated with regulators.

More than 120 members of parliament supported the cross-party bill, which will now be debated in the Senate. “By allowing such a right or duty to persist, we are collectively giving our approval to a system of domination and predation by husband on wife. Marriage cannot be a bubble in which consent to sex is regarded as definitive and for life,” said the bill’s sponsor, Green MP Marie-Charlotte Garin.

France’s civil code currently lists four duties linked to marriage fidelity, support, assistance and cohabitation, but makes no mention of a sexual obligation. However, older court rulings have sometimes interpreted cohabitation as meaning a “shared bed,” allowing the concept of marital duty to persist in practice.

The issue drew renewed attention after a 2019 case in which a man was granted a divorce because his wife had stopped having sex with him.

Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the woman, stating that a wife who refuses sex should not be considered “at fault” in divorce proceedings.

The bill comes as France continues to update its laws around sexual violence . In 2024, the country adopted the principle of consent in its legal definition of rape, following similar reforms in countries such as Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Oke Göttlich, a vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), said Europe should begin a serious conversation about whether participating is still appropriate. “For me, that time has definitely come,” Göttlich told German newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost, urging leaders to “seriously consider and discuss” a boycott.

He compared the current moment to Cold War-era Olympic boycotts, adding, “By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”

The boycott debate has been fuelled by Trump’s aggressive posturing toward Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Trump has suggested annexing the island and imposed tariffs on European nations that opposed his plans, including Germany.

German MP Jürgen Hardt said the national team might consider skipping the tournament “as a last resort” to bring Trump “to his senses.”

In France , left-wing lawmaker Eric Coquerel also called for the World Cup to be moved out of the US. “Seriously, can we really imagine going to play the footie World Cup in a country that attacks its neighbours, threatens to invade Greenland, undermines international law?” Coquerel wrote on X.

Concerns have also been raised over Trump’s immigration crackdown and claims of abuses by federal enforcement agencies. Swiss academic Mark Pieth warned that the political climate does not encourage fans to travel.

“What we are seeing domestically, the marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services , doesn’t exactly encourage fans to go there,” Pieth said.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has also weighed in, writing on X, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

A poll in Germany found 47% of respondents would support a boycott if Trump moved to annex Greenland, while a petition in the Netherlands calling for the Dutch team to boycott the event gathered more than 150,000 signatures. Meanwhile, no European country has announced a formal boycott.

While city officials have urged residents to temporarily leave Kyiv if possible, zoo animals have no such option. Among them is Tony, a 51-year-old gorilla, one of the zoo’s most well-known residents.

“You can tell people to go to the countryside, but I can’t say that to Tony,” said zoo director Kyrylo Trantin. “He doesn’t have a grandmother in the countryside where he could stay.”

To keep Tony’s enclosure at a steady 20 degrees Celsius, staff feed firewood into a stove up to five times a day. Generators run constantly to provide heat to other animals, including horses, bison and an elephant.

Power cuts have also disrupted water supplies, but zoo workers have prepared for emergencies. Staff member Viktoriia Sluzhenko said the zoo maintains enough water reserves to operate independently for up to three days. The elephant alone requires about 150 litres of water each day.

“Every day is a battle for warmth and power,” Trantin said. Trantin, like many others are juggling the responsibility of caring for animals while also coping with the same hardships affecting the rest of the city.

Julen argues the tower could help ease Zermatt’s housing crisis. The village’s population of 5,800 swells to around 40,000 in winter, pushing property prices to some of the highest in Europe. Many locals have been priced out, he says, and need affordable housing.

But the reaction so far has been largely negative. Critics warn the development would worsen overtourism, strain infrastructure , and dramatically alter views of the Matterhorn, one of Switzerland’s most famous natural symbols. Tourism groups and residents say the project risks turning the quiet alpine valley into a commercial “mountain city.”

Online, the pushback has been even sharper, with some joking that developers may as well “dig up the Matterhorn and build apartments inside it.”

The proposal remains at an early stage, with no approvals granted.

“Citizens have stopped coming to Portugal and have started going to other countries,” he said, citing a decline in arrivals from Brazil , India, Angola, Pakistan, Nepal, and other key migrant communities.

While the government argues the law is necessary to regulate and control migration, Macedo stressed that Portugal cannot afford to close its doors.

“Portugal needs immigrants,” he insisted. “To meet the goals of the Portugal 2030 plan and the Recovery and Resilience Program (RRP), more immigrants are needed, from Brazil or anywhere else,” he told Viory.

Portugal, which faces an ageing population and labour shortages across sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, and care services, has long relied on immigration to sustain its workforce. 

Macedo acknowledged the government’s desire for clearer rules but argued that overly rigid restrictions will “complicate the Portuguese economy ,” undermining growth at a time when labour demand remains high.

“Targeting the centre of community life on the holiest day of the year was not just an attack on British Jews, it was an attack on all of us. It was an attack on our humanity and on Britain’s values of freedom, compassion and respect,” Badenoch said.

She warned that anti-semitic hate and radical Islamist ideology had been “allowed to fester unchecked” in Britain’s streets for years, pointing to inflammatory slogans at protests and intimidation of Jewish communities.

“We have tolerated this in our country for too long,” she said. “You can think what you like and, within the law , say what you like, but you have no right to turn our streets into theatres of intimidation, and we will not let you do so anymore,” she warned.

She further urged the country to draw a “firm line” against importing values hostile to Britain’s democratic principles. She reassured Jewish communities that the government “stands with you shoulder to shoulder.”

A man believed to be Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian origin, was shot dead by police after launching an attack on a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Two worshippers, Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 55, were killed in the incident. Police confirmed that one of the victims died after being accidentally shot by officers attempting to stop the attacker. 

Footage from inside the store shows ecstatic customers clutching the toothy creations from Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, some smiling as they explore the shelves filled with the sought-after collectables.

Labubu is a series of collectable designer plush toys created by artist Kasing Lung, known for its quirky monster elf characters featuring playful designs, exaggerated expressions, and animal-like traits.

His remarks came during a high-profile gathering of Europe’s far-right leaders convened by French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen in the Loiret region south of Paris.

The meeting, held to commemorate the first anniversary of Le Pen’s National Rally’s best-ever performance in European elections, served as a rallying point for anti-immigration forces emboldened by Donald Trump ’s return to the White House and recent electoral gains across Europe.

Joining Orban were prominent right-wing figures, including Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the League party, Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s Vox party and Andrej Babis, former Czech Prime Minister.

Speaking at the meeting, Orban reaffirmed his longstanding position that Europe’s migration policy is fundamentally flawed.

"We will not let them destroy our cities and the safety of our streets. We will not let them violate our daughters and our women. We will not allow peaceful citizens to be killed. My friends, we will not stand idly by, pointing at Brussels and international law like losers. We will act. What is happening is not migration, it is an organised exchange of populations intended to replace the cultural bedrock of Europe," he said.

The European Union has long sought to manage migration through a mix of border controls, humanitarian resettlement, and burden-sharing among member states. Key elements include:

Nicuşor Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest and a former civil society activist, secured 53.6% of the vote in the second round, after a campaign centred on anti-corruption, EU integration, and urban development, defeating George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), who garnered 46.4%.

The victory has been widely celebrated by pro-democracy advocates, especially among younger and urban voters who view Dan as a symbol of transparency and progressive leadership.

Celebrations broke out in the streets of Bucharest and other major cities late Sunday night, May 18, with crowds waving Romanian and European Union flags, chanting Dan’s name and calling for a “new Romania.” Many supporters see his presidency as a turning point that could reverse years of political stagnation and nationalist rhetoric.

"I am happy, confident and optimistic for the next five years. Romanians have united, mobilised and voted massively in the direction that I consider to be the right one, the direction of the European Union, the direction of freedom, and they have not allowed themselves to be carried away by this sovereigntist wave that has risen in recent months," Maria Achim, a student told AFP during the celebration rally.

The runoff witnessed a historic voter turnout of 64.72%, the highest since 1996, with over 11.6 million votes cast, reflecting the high stakes of a race widely seen as a referendum on Romania’s future on the international stage.

Russia is preparing to hold a military parade on May 9 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat—an event President Vladimir Putin aims to use as a demonstration of national strength.

Some residents welcomed any temporary lull in fighting as a chance to seek safety, reconnect with family, or access basic supplies.

"Today, at least I slept. The night before last, no. I think today was calmer," Nastya, a resident, told AFP.

Kateryna, on the other hand, shared, "They say we have a ceasefire, like, 'we’re not firing heavy weapons,' but at the crossing zone, everything is the same as it was. They are inconsistent in their actions. It seems that no one is paying attention to this — we are. After the other day, when we had 12 Shahed drones , I even thought about boarding up my windows. Those are the kinds of thoughts I have. I’m not even thinking about a ceasefire."

The order, which is expected to last from May 8 to May 10 , is met with suspicion by many Ukrainians who recall previous truces being violated or used as cover for repositioning troops.

For Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, "The Kremlin's proposal for a three-day truce is not about peace , but about safely holding the parade in Moscow. This is political manipulation."

"It really does feel as though the state wants to kill us," said Helen Belcher, a prominent trans rights campaigner and chair of the advocacy group TransActual.

Speaking to the AFP following the court’s decision, Belcher said the ruling represents a fundamental denial of trans people's identities and lived realities.

Belcher, 61, who is also a Liberal Democrat politician, said the implications of the ruling are already being felt within the trans community.

"I fear for people's mental health. I fear for people's physical health. I fear for people's ability to earn money. They've issued a ruling that sex is biological, but they haven't defined what biological means,” said Belcher

Belcher warned and reasoned that the judgment leans on a rigid and outdated framework, dismissing scientific literature that recognises sex and gender as complex spectrums.

“They're relying very much on a Trumpian, evangelical Christian simplistic world model,” Belcher said, “ignoring all huge amounts of scientific literature, which says that sex is not binary, it's not simple, it's really complex. In their judgment, they have decided basically that intersex people and non-binary people don't exist. And it's awful."

Belcher, who transitioned more than 20 years ago, described the ruling as a deeply personal blow.

“To go through that process - sometimes painful process - of getting to understand myself, having invasive medical questioning, some painful surgeries, to then be told, ‘Yeah, but you're still a man,’ is deliberately and intentionally cruel.”

The ruling has brought back the already polarised national debate over trans rights. However, the Supreme Court justices emphasised that trans people remain protected under the Equality Act against discrimination and harassment.

The newly instated amendment emphasizes that the rights of children to moral, physical, and spiritual development supersede all other rights, apart from the right to life. Moreover, it explicitly restricts the depiction or promotion of homosexuality for individuals under 18 years of age in the interests of "child protection."

In practical terms, this amendment allows authorities to ban public activities organized by LGBTQ+ communities, which includes events like Budapest Pride. Further measures permit law enforcement to employ facial recognition technology to identify participants at banned events, potentially imposing fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints or approximately 546 US dollars. Critics express that such constitutional alterations serve to distract the public from pressing national issues and bolster support for Orban ahead of forthcoming elections .

Previously reported by UNN, the ruling FIDESZ party has consistently expressed intentions to prevent annual pride parades in Budapest, highlighting an ongoing conflict between the government and LGBTQ+ rights advocates in Hungary.

Provided free of charge to Acceptess-T, Maison des Iris aims to be more than just a shelter. The centre will support residents in their efforts to find employment , access healthcare, and secure long-term housing, while also empowering them to pursue personal and professional development projects.

Described as “a space of welcome and stability,” the new accommodation is a new step in efforts to improve living conditions and support systems for France’s transgender community.

“Access to healthcare and doctors has become an impossible obstacle course. This situation is unacceptable,” Bayrou said. “Like the education system, the organisation of healthcare in our country was once a source of pride. But certain decisions, such as the numerus clausus, have had dramatic effects on the provision of healthcare.”

Bayrou’s remarks come amid growing public frustration in rural and underserved urban areas, where residents often wait weeks or months for basic medical appointments.

The prime minister also took aim at Parcoursup, France’s controversial university admissions platform, arguing that it fosters social inequality by favouring students from families with insider knowledge.

“I must admit I have many questions about Parcoursup,” he said. “Early orientation, which Parcoursup organises, is in most cases social orientation. It’s because parents know the codes and maps of the system that their children can make the right choices.”

He lamented that France had become a “cruel country” for offering limited chances to those who fall behind early in life. 

Montenegro defended his record, stating he has "never yielded to any particular interest in the face of the public interest" and would recuse himself from decision-making if a conflict arose.

"As a Portuguese, I have never yielded to any particular interest in the face of the public interest and the general interest. And that's how it will continue. As soon as any conflict of interest arises, for personal or professional reasons, I will not take part in the various decision-making processes," he told the media.

The controversy stems from reports that a company linked to Montenegro’s wife and children held a €4,500 ($4,680) per month contract with Solverde for personal data handling services after July 2021. The prime minister, however, insists his focus remains on governing and ensuring stability amid Europe's broader challenges.

The achievement required meticulous planning and round-the-clock monitoring, as confirmed by Guinness adjudicator Susana Reyes. “To beat a world record and set a new one, especially this one, is pretty unique. It took a lot of work from both Guinness and the record holder's team. We needed witnesses who were monitoring and verifying 24/7 for more than 120 days,” Reyes said.

The underwater habitat, stationed 11 meters below the surface, offered limited space but provided Koch with an intimate connection with marine life. "I didn’t have so much time to reflect; there was so much to do,” Koch said. “But it’s beautiful when things calm down, and it gets dark, and the sea starts glowing. I would turn off all the lights and let the sea be my only light source. It’s indescribable - you have to experience it yourself.”

Reyes noted the logistical challenges of conducting such a record attempt in the open sea, emphasising the complexity of providing for Koch’s needs while ensuring uninterrupted monitoring. "This also implies special logistics - not just to satisfy the needs of our record holder who lived underwater, but also to make sure all the evidence is verifiable," she explained.

According to Greco, her life’s work is driven by a simple yet powerful goal, ensuring that children in care have the same rights and access as children in loving families.

Greco’s journey from abuse survivor to head of a leading hospital department is one of resilience and determination. "This dream of going into medicine is what really kept me going," she recalled in an interview with the AFP. "It kept me going until I was discovered at the age of 14, thanks to a school nurse when I was in Year 11. And it’s what kept me going through my years in foster care. Foster care clearly saved my life, but it was still complicated."

Inside her hospital office is a collection of drawings - her personal "museum" - created by her patients. "All these drawings are of my patients, young and old. For example, here is a patient of mine who is an adult and whom I follow for chronic pain. And all the rest of the drawings are of children who are followed by our team - either because they have chronic pain due to genetic diseases or cancer, or because they are in palliative care due to genetic or neurodegenerative diseases."

Despite her professional achievements, Greco remains deeply committed to advocating for vulnerable children. "I see my commitment to child protection as a mission, a mission that is sometimes exhausting because it’s hard and sometimes discouraging. But I still see it as a mission," she says. "I think it would be unbearable for me to have succeeded—because today I’ve succeeded. I’m head of department at Necker, I have a husband, I have a nice apartment, I have a good life, I go on holiday—and to leave all those children behind, knowing exactly what the problems are, I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror. So even though it’s sometimes tiring, I have to do it. And I tell myself that I can do it."

Recounting the scars of her past linger. "I fluctuated between 31 and 34 kilos. And because I didn’t have any health care, either somatic or psychological, I accumulated these after-effects. Today, I have the bones of an 80-year-old woman. I have osteoporosis, and all my teeth are not really mine anymore. I have a good dentist, but I hardly have any of my own teeth left."

"In 2024, the forecast for international tourists is around 94 million, marking a 10 percent increase compared to 2023, which was already a record year," Hereu stated during a press conference in Madrid.

The surge in visitors also brought significant economic gains, with foreign tourists spending an estimated €126 billion ($130 billion) in 2024—a 16 percent rise from the previous year. Spain's growth rates have remained robust, outpacing much of the sluggish eurozone economy, driven in part by strong tourism performance.

However, the tourism boom has sparked tensions in popular destinations. Locals in hotspots such as Barcelona and Malaga have voiced concerns about rising rents and the transformation of their neighbourhoods due to an influx of visitors.

In response, both cities have introduced measures to regulate short-term tourist rentals, aiming to mitigate public discontent and curb skyrocketing housing prices.

Belgium's Health Minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, emphasised that disposable e-cigarettes pose significant health risks, particularly to young people. These products, often marketed with enticing flavours like apple and cola, have been criticised for attracting teenagers and potentially leading them to nicotine addiction.

"Disposable e-cigarettes are a new product simply designed to attract new consumers. E-cigarettes often contain nicotine. Nicotine makes you addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is bad for your health. These are facts," Vandenbroucke stated in an interview as reported by the Economic Times.

Beyond health concerns, the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes has also been a driving factor behind the ban. These single-use devices contribute to plastic waste and contain hazardous chemicals that can harm the environment.

The decision also comes in the wake of a deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in the western city of Trier last week, which has reignited national debates over security and immigration policies. The tragedy, which claimed several lives and left many injured, has intensified public calls for stronger measures to prevent such attacks and control immigration.

In a televised address, President Steinmeier emphasised the importance of restoring political stability in the country. He urged all political parties to engage in a "campaign of respect and decency," stressing that the upcoming election should focus on Germany's future direction rather than further divisions.

"Dear fellow citizens," Steinmeier said, "I have decided today to dissolve the twentieth German Bundestag and to schedule new elections for the twenty-third of February next year. A letter to this effect has just been handed over to the President of the German Bundestag."

The collapse of Scholz's coalition—comprising the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP)—was the result of deepening tensions over economic recovery strategies, with factions unable to reach a consensus on the best path forward for Europe's largest economy. Scholz's government had faced growing public dissatisfaction, with rising inflation, energy prices, and unemployment contributing to the political crisis.

"Your hands, Pierre! Hit him in the body!" his trainer shouts as he sharpens his craft.

Invited to the United States by former French heavyweight Christophe Mendy, Hugues arrived in late November for his first U.S. tour to showcase his talent in the world’s boxing capital.

An accomplished amateur boxer, he sees this as an opportunity to secure funding for his career, which has faced financial hurdles in his native France. “I’ve always seen myself as an able-bodied athlete, with the same passion—sometimes greater—to achieve the same result,” Hugues says, his quiet determination evident over the hum of the Harlem gym.

With plans to turn professional within two years, Hugues hopes to make his mark and inspire others on his journey to Olympic greatness.

However, these artisans say the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has hurt their business.

“We have just 40 percent of the work we had before the war,” artisan Muzaffar Ahmad told the AFP.

Artisans begin taking orders months before Christmas to ensure timely delivery. The demand for these decorations has grown steadily over decades, bringing significant income to the region.

 Fatiko describes donkey milk as a “miracle.” According to her, “It heals children , helps treat respiratory diseases and allergies, and strengthens the immune system.”

Donkey milk which is rare and expensive, costs about €60 per litre, with cheese prices exceeding €1,500 per kilo.

The family has had to buy extra milk from local farmers to meet demand and plans to expand their herd.

The milk is also used to make cosmetics, which are growing in popularity.

Arkota Suleiman Jabonah, a Sudanese refugee, arrived with his family and is adjusting to the assistance the centre provides. "For now, we’ll stay here because we’re new and need help from social workers with applications and job centre forms," he said. "Eventually, once we learn German, we’ll be able to find an apartment on our own."

Marienfelde’s director, Olivija Music, explained that it’s difficult to ask long-term residents to move out to make room for new arrivals. “We’ve been preparing residents for this transition for up to two years,” she told the AFP.

Historically, the Marienfelde Centre housed German citizens from East Berlin who, upon arrival, had rights and pathways to full citizenship. Today’s arrivals face a more complex process, says Bettina Effner, Director of the Marienfelde Memorial Museum.

“The difference now is that these people often endure long processes to determine their residency status - whether they’ll be tolerated or granted residency,” she explained.

For refugees like Layan Al Jazzar, who arrived from Syria with her mother and sister, the journey has been emotionally taxing. “We were crying all the time...we didn’t know anyone or speak the language,” she shared.

The Nazi occupation of Greece from 1941 to 1944 saw severe repression, with thousands of resistance members arrested, tortured, or killed, while more than 86 percent of Greece’s Jewish population was deported to Nazi concentration camps, the AFP reports.

Despite these atrocities, this period of Athens' history is often overlooked. Historian Dimitris Charalampidis, who launched "Athens History Walks" to preserve the memory of the occupation, has pointed out the lack of memorials commemorating key events from this time, including the famine that claimed many lives.

This anniversary contrasts with Greece's more widely celebrated "Ohi Day" on October 28, marking the country's refusal to surrender to Mussolini's Italy during World War II.

The ongoing effort to highlight the full scope of Greece’s wartime suffering continues through initiatives like Charalampidis' tours, which seek to raise awareness of the city's painful past.

Both sides have imposed penalties on each other's imports in response to issues surrounding subsidies and protectionism.

Michel hopes a deal could be reached in the coming days or weeks but warned it would be "tough." He stressed the importance of transparency and compliance with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules in any potential agreement, asserting that the EU must defend its interests while maintaining an open economy.

European Council President, Charles Michel told the AFP that, "We have very strong and legitimate interests and it is the responsibility of the European Union to defend our people, to defend our citizens. We believe in an open economy , we believe in international trade, we believe in investments. But we also believe that it is not possible any more to be naive and that’s why we appreciate the fact that it was possible today to have a very frank and candid conversation about what is at stake."

China’s new tariffs on French brandy, up to 38.1%, took effect on Friday as part of an anti-dumping measure to protect domestic producers. The EU plans to challenge these tariffs, which have been met with concerns from French cognac makers.

The storms, driven by Storm Boris, follow devastating floods in Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria, which have claimed at least 21 lives. Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia are also bracing for possible flooding in the coming days.

Impact on Poland

In southern Poland, where over 40,000 people were evacuated from the town of Nysa, 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to assist in flood relief efforts. Floodwaters continue to spread in some areas, while others are beginning to recede.

The town of Glucholazy saw its main bridge collapse, and streets were left covered in mud. Six people have been confirmed dead, though higher death tolls have been denied by authorities.

Government Response

Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has declared a month-long state of natural disaster, with Wroclaw expected to face the worst flooding soon.

The region remains on high alert as Storm Boris continues to bring extreme weather across Europe.

Gisele, who had suffered from memory lapses for years, only uncovered the abuse through a police investigation. She has asked for the trial to be open to the public to raise awareness about the use of drugs in committing sexual violence.

Supporters gathered in the streets to voice their admiration for Gisele's courage. Nadège Peneau, a 46-year-old specialist educator from Orange, expressed her deep respect for Gisele, "I have total admiration for her. I think what she's doing is very courageous. Thanks to her... she carries the voice of so many children and women, and even men because that happens too... Yes, of course, I think she has immense courage to be able to (testify, editor's note) like that, in an open way."

Another activist, Maud Fontanel, who works with Family Planning in Avignon, emphasised the need to shift the shame surrounding sexual assault from victims to perpetrators. "It's important to reiterate that shame has to change sides because we know what happens when someone is sexually assaulted. The blame and responsibility are put back on the victim. We'll also make excuses for the aggressor, that's what we call rape culture, and it's very important to get this message across that shame should be on the aggressor's side and not the victim's," she was quoted by AFP.

The victim’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, 71, has admitted to all charges against him.

Tom Martin, spokesman for the collective, expressed outrage over France’s political and military ties with Israel.

"We are denouncing the genocide in Gaza, but also the complicity of Western powers, especially France, which is a key economic, political, and military partner of Israel. This is scandalous," he told the AFP.

Martin also condemned the continued detention of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian activist who has been imprisoned in France for 40 years despite being eligible for release since 1999.

Among the protesters was Alberta Nur, a 24-year-old student who spoke out against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"The situation in Gaza is unbearable. It’s been nearly a year of genocide, and we’re here to call for an end to the bombings and to denounce France’s complicity," she said. Nur also criticised the suspension of a teacher in Toulouse who was penalised for speaking out in support of Palestine during class.

She added, “There's a teacher here in Toulouse who has been suspended for four months simply because he denounced the genocide in his class. So now we're here to say ‘stop the bombing of Gaza’, denounce France's complicity and demand an end to all sanctions against those who stand up for Palestine."

Holding up a large banner with the inscription “solidarity with the people of Palestine,” the protestors marched the streets of Toulouse, demanding an end to the violence in Gaza.

The Spanish government has refused to recognise Nicolas Maduro’s victory in the election, with Sánchez calling for the publication of the election results. He emphasised that Spain is working toward unity within the European Union to mediate the political crisis in Venezuela, the AFP reports.

“From a political point of view, the Spanish government has been clear since the elections were held: We have asked for the publication of the results (tally sheets of the July 28 Venezuelan elections, ed.), we have not recognised Nicolas Maduro's victory, and we are doing something very important: working for unity in the European Union,” Sánchez said, adding that Spain is committed to building bridges between the EU and China in a separate diplomatic matter.

Sanches further stated that “asylum is first and foremost a gesture of humanity, a civil humanitarian commitment of Spanish society and, by extension, of its government, to people who are unfortunately suffering persecution and repression. And this is what we have done with Edmundo Gonzalez (Venezuelan opposition candidate, ed)."

After arriving in Spain, Urrutia expressed hope for change in Venezuela, saying he left "so that things can change and we can build a new stage for Venezuela."

One first-time visitor to Paris, Jake shared his excitement, saying, "We've been taking in a lot of the other sites, and we followed this a little bit and the fact that we knew it was going to be close to opening but not open yet and we're here so after seeing a lot of the other historic sites we definitely want to come back, this is like a bucket list site we would come back and definitely take in. First trip to Paris but not our last.”

Another tourist, Gaëlle who has followed the restoration closely, remarked, "I've watched TV programmes about the work being done. Seeing it now is impressive, and I plan to come back once the restoration is complete."

For some, the sight of Notre Dame is nostalgic. "I remember visiting as a teenager. Even with the damage, it's still awe-inspiring," one visitor noted.

On April 15, 2019, a devastating fire broke out beneath the eaves of Notre Dame Cathedral’s roof. The blaze quickly spread, engulfing the spire and much of the roof. The fire started around 6:30 PM local time and raged through the night, continuing until the following morning.

However, these same features have also attracted the attention of criminal elements, leading to the current legal scrutiny.

According to a Marketing and Brand expert, Allyson Stewart-Allen, "The CEO of Telegram has been arrested in France mostly because the French authorities strongly believe that the company has not done the content moderation that it should be doing, the platform specifically is containing several indecent images of Children."

Adding that, "It's also a platform for organised crime, and a lot of these conversations are taking place on Telegram. Because they're encrypted means that authorities like the French government, like the European Union, like the United States, are not gonna be able to access terrorism, for example, or other nefarious activities that are planned and pursued through Telegram's application," she said.

French judicial authorities have placed Durov under formal investigation as part of a broader probe into organized crime activities facilitated through Telegram The investigation focuses on several serious allegations, including illicit transactions on the platform and the distribution of sexual images of children.

Durov, however, was granted bail on Thursday, August 29 under strict conditions, including a €5 million ($5.5 million) deposit, reporting to the police twice a week, and a ban on leaving the French territory.

Denmark's flag, known as the Dannebrog, is recognised as the oldest national flag in continuous use. According to legend, the Dannebrog miraculously fell from the sky during a battle in 1219, leading to a Danish victory. Its simple yet striking design - a white cross on a red field - has remained largely unchanged since 1370.

Netherlands - The Dutch Flag (1660):

The Dutch flag, characterised by its horizontal red, white, and blue stripes, was officially adopted in 1660. This design evolved from the earlier Prinsenvlag, which featured orange instead of red. The modern flag became a powerful symbol of Dutch independence and national identity, particularly during the struggle against Spanish rule.

United Kingdom - The Union Jack (1801):

The Union Jack, established in 1801, combines elements of the flags of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The flag symbolises the political union of these nations within the United Kingdom and remains a potent emblem of British national unity. Its iconic design is recognised worldwide, reflecting the UK’s historical influence and colonial legacy.  

Other old flags in Europe include;  France (1830)  - the Tricolore, with its blue, white, and red vertical stripes, was officially adopted after the French Revolution and symbolises liberty, equality, and fraternity.  Belgium (1831)  - The Belgian flag features vertical black, yellow, and red stripes, adopted shortly after the country gained independence from the Netherlands.

Turkey (1844);  the Turkish flag, with its red background and white star and crescent, was officially adopted in 1844 and has become a symbol of the nation's Islamic heritage and history. San Marino (1862)  - San Marino’s flag, with its white and light blue horizontal bands and the national coat of arms, reflects the country's status as one of the world’s oldest republics.  Monaco (1881)  - Monaco's flag, identical to Indonesia's but with different proportions, features red and white horizontal bands and has represented the principality since 1881.

Switzerland (1889)  - The Swiss flag, with its distinctive white cross on a red square, symbolizes neutrality, peace, and the country's alpine heritage. Norway (1899)  - Norway's flag, with its red background and blue cross outlined in white, was adopted in 1899, reflecting its Scandinavian heritage and Christian faith.

The signet ring was discovered by metal detectorist Tom Clark in a pasture for sheep near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

George Grenville during his tenure as Prime Minister wanted customs duties to be enforced strictly and proposed a new set of stamp duties to raise revenue. Unfortunately, the colonists protested vociferously which helped provoke the outbreak of the American War of Independence.

The 18th-century Prime Minister was dismissed by King George III after the acts he introduced caused protests in what were then the American colonies.

His ring was passed to his second son, also a member of parliament, named George, according to Nigel Mills, artefact and coin expert at Noonans.

He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was given the title of Marquess of Buckingham and lived close to where the ring was found.

This religious book, written in Coptic script on papyrus in Egypt, dates back to between 250 and 350 AD. The codex, discovered in the 1950s, is believed to be one of the oldest in existence and was among several lots auctioned from Dr. Schøyen's collection. It contains a combination of biblical and other Christian texts, biblical extracts, and pagan literature, including the first complete epistle of Peter, the Book of Jonah, and an Easter homily.

Due to client confidentiality, the identity of the buyer could not be revealed. According to sources, it was initially bought by the University of Mississippi, where it remained until 1981.

It was acquired several times before being purchased by Norwegian manuscript collector Dr. Martin Schøyen in 1988. The manuscript itself includes texts such as the first complete epistle of Peter, the Book of Jonah, and an Easter homily.

Italy: This year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was marred by heightened shock and public outrage over the killing of a 22-year-old woman by her ex-boyfriend. The family had reported her disappearance to the police a week before her lifeless body was discovered 120 kilometers north of Venice. The 22-year-old ex-boyfriend, facing murder accusations, was apprehended in Germany.

France: Crowds of individuals marched through the streets brandishing signs in solidarity with women's rights. Demonstrators called for augmentation of the budget allocated to combat violence against women. Official figures reveal 121 instances of "femicide" in France this year, compared to 118 cases in 2022.

Spain: In Madrid, a gathering of seven thousand people joined a demonstration protesting against the violation of women and their rights.

Turkey: In Istanbul, around 500 female demonstrators took to the streets, holding placards that proclaimed, "We will not remain silent." Simultaneously, Ankara, the capital of Turkey, saw protests denouncing violence against women.

Latin America: In Guatemala, protesters illuminated candles arranged in the form of the number 438 on the ground, symbolizing the tragic toll of femicide in 2023, where 438 women lost their lives. Meanwhile, in the capital of Chile, participants held images of the victims.

Message from the Pope: Eradicating this toxic weed is imperative.